Suction cleaners



May 29, 1956 D. B. TSCHUDY SUCTION CLEANERS 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed June 5, 1955 l3 INVENTOR.

Donal B. Tschua'y Fig. 2

ATTORNEY.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

VMay 29, 1956 0. B. TSCHUDY SUCTION CLEANERS Filed June 5, 1953 Donald B. Tsc/wdy Fig. 3

May 29, 1956 D. B. TSCHUDY suc'rzou CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 5, 1953 IN VEN TOR. Donald B. Tsc/wdy SUCTION CLEANERS Donald B. Tschudy, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Shia Application June 5, 1953, Serial No. 359,923

14 Claims. (Ci. l-'--351) This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to a suctioncleaner of the floor type designedfor. use with an improved and simplified filter assembly.

More specifically, the invention deals with a unique one piece filter adapter and coupling providing a swivelling connection between the cleaner body and the filter. Prior designs involve the use of multi-part constructions which arecomplex, costly, heavy, and dilficult to operate and many ofwhich fail to provide a reliable airtight seal at the moving joint The coupling forming an important feature of this invention overcomes these disadvantages and presents additional advantages not exhibited by prior couplings.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved suction cleaner having a new and highly superior mode of coupling the filter assembly to the fan exhaust.

Another object is the provision of a one piece filter adapter and swiveling coupling.

A further object is the provision of a novel joint between a fixed conduit-and a movable conduit which is quickly and readily separable.

Yet another object is the provision of a new and improved filter adapter.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification of two illustrative embodiments of the invention-taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional floor type suction cleaner incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is-a fragmentary view similar .to Figure 1 but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view partly in section of the cleaner shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the exhaust outlet along 4-4 on Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the filter adapter disconnected from the cleaner exhaust, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a second embodiment of the invention and employing a cloth filter bag.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the invention is shown as incorporated in a floor type'suction cleaner having a main body generally designed 10. This body includes the usual suction nozzle 11 across its forward end which is in communication with the eye of a fan chamber 12 located in a generally vertical plane passing through the front carrier wheels 13. The conventional radial blade fan housed within the fan chamber is coupled to an electric motor located within the rear end of main body 10. This end of "the cleaner is supported by a pair of rear wheels 14. Projecting laterally from one side of the fan chamber is an exhaust air conduit 15.

nite States Patent 2,74 7,216 Patented May 29,1956

The cleaner is arranged to be propelled overthefloor by the usual propelling handle '16 having abail 17; at'; its lower end journaled on pivot pins 18 at either side of the cleaner body. The position of the handle may be controlled by a conventional roller detentf'19 operating on a. stationary control sector 20. When the handle is in the, vertical parked positioruthe roller detent is seated in notch 21. The roller detent is releasable from this notch by pulling backward sharply on the upper end of the handle. A hump 22 on the control sector provid'fiS. a rest for the handle in its inclined position, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A stop 23 at the lowereiid of the control sector prevents the handle from dro'pping below the horizontal position. The roller detent is held ingresilient engagement with sector Why a torsion spring 24 having one, end bearing against the handle bai'l and its other end bearing on a pivoted support lever, 25 for roller 19. i

The filter adapter per se is made in one piece and preferably of molded semi-rigid thermoplastic material. The general contour of adapter 26 is best 'illustrated in Figure 3 wherein it will be seen to consist'of .a hollow elbow having a short horizontallyprojecting inlet at: its lower end and a long tapered outlet 27 as itsupper' end upon which the inlet 28 of a paper filter bag ma h telescoped. A channel 29 encircling the upper end of the adapter provides a seat for a spring garter elarnp 30 for-holding the inlet neck 28 sealed to the adapter in an air tight manner. The cylindrical flange 31 encircling an intermediate portion of the adapter provides" onvenient and highly efficacious anchorage for the lower end of the cloth appearance envelope 32. l?refera'1bl y, the envelope is bonded to flange 31 by heat and "pressure until the inner wall of the flange forms a fused joint or bond with the fabric. Accordingly, the customary rivets or clamping means previously thought" essentialj are eliminated. Y

; The swiveling joint between the lower ,end 33 of the adapter and theouter end of exhaust passage 15 is equally as simple in construction and efficient'in operation. Thus, the outer wall of conduit 15 has ag'roove 3g} foirned by a pair of spaced flanges .35 and 36 Flange 351s continuous 'while flange 35 has .a'painof cutout's 3'1, v37 located on the opposite sides of the conduit -on line inclined at an angle of 45 degrees (to theliorizontal as most clearly shown in Figure 5. Cutouts 37, 37 provide entrance and exit points for a pair" of inwardly extending ears 38, 38 molded integral "with the end of Lfilter adapter 26.

From the foregoing it will be clear that eats 35 38 ofthe adapter can be connected to groov e 34 on'iconv duit 15 only by rotating the adapter elbow until the outexhaust outlet and ears 38 enter cutouts and become seated in groove 34. The adapter elbow can now be rotated rearwardly .to its normal operating position range aslshown in Figures 1 and 2 This range includes an arcof approximately degrees. When once assembled on the cleaner, the elbow journals freely in groove 34 throughout the entire :operating range of the cleaner including the vertical parked position and the lowermost horizontal po sitionfof the propelling handle. In ho one of these positions are the ears 38 opposite cutouts 37 and the adapter is positively locked to the end of the exhaust conduit but ,is free to swivel thereabout.

, Two other features of the construction remain to be described. These are the additional facilities to assure an airtight seal between the adapter and the exhaust Outlet. Note that the adapter includes a thin walled annularfiangeABwhich seats resiliently against the end rim of exhaust conduit 15. Preferably, this flange is so positioned as to be flexed away from its normal position as it engages the end of conduit 15 as the adapter is locked in assembled position. In consequence, the flange bears resiliently against the end of the conduit to form a very effective air seal. An air tight seal is further assured by annular lip 41 cast integral with the exhaust outlet and overlying the inner edge of flange 40. This lip prevents the exhaust air discharged by the fan from blowing flange 40 away from the end of the conduit or forcing grit and dirt into the running seal between the conduit and flange 40.

The upper end of the appearance envelope 32 is resiliently suspended from the propelling handle by a spring 42. The envelope is also provided with a hookless fastener 43 for the elongated filter access opening 44 extending the full length of the envelope.

Let it be assumed that the cleaner is assembled as illustrated in the drawings. It is then propelled across the floor While the motor-fan unit is operating. The dirty air is drawn upwardly through the suction nozzle, passed through the fan and then discharged through conduit 15, filter adapter 26 and into filter bag 28. As the cleaner is being propelled across the floor, the handle will be raised and lowered about pivot pins 18. As the handle pivots, the filter assembly including envelope 32, filter bag 28 and adapter 26 will pivot as a unit with the handle since adapter 26 is free to swivel about the axis of conduit 15. Note that no flexing whatever occurs in the paper filter bag since all relative movement is confined to the swivel joint at the end of the exhaust conduit.

If the operator wishes to remove the filter assembly at any time, only two simple operations are necessary. These include unhooking spring 42 from the propelling handle and then rotating the filter assembly forwardly of a vertical position. Ears 33 on the adapter elbow will then be in alignment with cutouts 37 on the exhaust outlet and the adapter can be withdrawn axially of the conduit. The assembly can then be carried to a point of dirt disposal where the hookless fastener is then opened and clamp 30 is rolled downwardly toward flange 31 thereby freeing the paper filter bag so that it can be withdrawn from the adapter. A new bag is telescoped over the end of the adapter and clamp 30 is returned to its seat in channel 29.

The adapter is next reassembled on the cleaner merely by holding the adapter at the proper angle for ears 38 to pass through cutouts 37 and into groove 34. The adapter is then rotated counter-clockwise so that spring 42 can be reconnected to the propelling handle.

In a second embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the paper filter and clamp therefor are eliminated and the appearance envelope is replaced by a conventional type cloth filter 28. The lower end of this filter is permanently joined to flange 31 of filter adapter 26 by heat sealing in the same manner as described above in connection with envelope 32. Note that the upper half of the adapter extends upwardly into the filter and cooperates therewith in forming a dirt trap. The same is, of course, true of that portion of the adapter above channel 29 in the first described embodiment. The remaining parts of Figure 6 are identical with those in Figures 1 to and are therefore designated by the same reference characters.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that still other changes may be made in the structure hereinabove disclosed without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, while I prefer to make the adapter member in one piece, there are applications in which it may be preferable to make the same in two or even more parts to gain the advantage of dilferent materials. Thus, the elbow member "and the flange to which the appearance envelope is fused may be of thermoplastic material while the tubular member to which the filter inlet isclamped may be of a more rigid material such as stiff plastic or even metal such as aluminum. A com-' posite adapter of this character utilizes the advantages of the different materials without increasing the over-all: weight, convenience of use or the cost of manufacture and retains the simplicity of ruggedness of the one piece construction.

While I have shown and described but two embodi-- ments of my invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a suction cleaner of the floor type having a dirty air discharge conduit, a propelling handle pivoted to said cleaner adjacent said discharge conduit, a filter assembly for said cleaner, means supporting one end of said assembly from said handle so that said assembly pivots with said handle, and a filter adapter for coupling the lower end of said assembly to said discharge conduit so that said adapter is free to swivel about the end thereof throughout the normal operating range of movement of said propelling handle, means for swivelly coupling said filter adapter and discharge conduit including interlocking detent means which normally interengage during the swiveling of said filter assembly during said normal operation but which disengage from one another when said adapter is pivoted beyond said normal operating range whereby said filter assembly can be uncoupled from said cleaner.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said filter adapter is formed in one piece including part of said interengaging detent means for swivelly coupling said adapter to said air discharge conduit.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said adapter is formed from pliant thermoplastic material to withstand the abrasive action of the high velocity dirty air stream and to withstand blows when brought in contact with furniture or other objects in the use of the cleaner.

4. A filter adapter for use on a floor type suction cleaner comprising, a tubular member formed of thermoplastic material, the lower, inlet end of said adapter having a circular seat adapted to be telescopically assembled to the outlet end of a cleaner exhaust air conduit, a flexible annular flange adjacent said inlet end adapted to seat resiliently against an annular seat on a cleaner exhaust air conduit so as to form a rotatable air-tight seal therewith, and detent means on the inlet end of said adapter spaced from the flange adapted to cooperate with an arcuate flange on said exhaust conduit for holding said adapter coupled thereto for free swiveling movement thereabout through an arc of predetermined extent.

5. A filter adapter as defined in claim 4 including a tapered outlet end adapted to fit snugly within the inlet end of a filter bag, and an annular groove in the outer surface of said outlet end to seat a garter spring clamp for holding a filter bag assembled thereon.

6. A filter adapter as defined in claim 5 including a cylindrical flange surrounding said adapter intermediate the ends thereof and having a portion thereof spaced from the walls of said adapter to provide an annular recess for the end of a fabric filter envelope so that the latter can be inserted therewithin and bonded to said cylindrical flange by heat sealing.

'7. A filter assembly for use on a suction cleaner of the floor type comprising, a filter adapter elbow formed in one piece from semi-rigid thermoplastic material, said elbow having an inlet end adapted to swivelly interlock with the end of a suction cleaner exhaust air conduit through a predetermined range of movement of the elbow relatively to the conduit, the opposite discharge end of said adapter being shaped to receive and seat the inlet of a paper filter bag, means for releasably clamping a filter inlet to said discharge end, a flexible walled porous appearance envelope adapted to enclose a paper filter mounted on said adapter, the lower end of said envelope embracing said adapter below the filter clamping area thereof and being fused to the adjacent portions of said thermoplastic adapter to provide a unitary filter assembly.

8. A filter assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the lower inlet end of said thermoplastic filter adapter is provided with a pair of inwardly projecting ears for detachably locking the adapter to the end of a suction cleaner exhaust air conduit, said ears being adapted to move along a groove formed in said exhaust conduit whereby said adapter can swivel in an arc about the axis of said conduit.

9. A filter assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the inlet end of said adapter includes a continuous thinwalled inwardly projecting flange adapted to seat. resiliently against the end of a said exhaust air conduit and form a running air seal therewith when coupled thereto.

10. A filter assembly for use on a suction cleaner of the type having an exhaust air conduit projecting from the body thereof comprising, a tubular elbow formed of semi-rigid thermoplastic material, the inlet end of said elbow having a pair of inwardly projecting ears adapted to seat in an annular groove formed in the end of said conduit so as to hold said elbow coupled thereto while permitting the same to swivel about the end of said conduit, an air porous fabric envelope telescoped over the discharge end of said elbow in spaced relation thereto, the lowermost periphery of said envelope being fused to the side wall of said adapter to provide a unitary filter assembly.

11. A filter assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said air porous fabric envelope comprises a dirt collecting filter bag, the discharge end of said adapter projecting upwardly into said filter in spaced relation to the inner walls thereof and cooperating therewith to provide a dirt trap.

12. In a floor type suction cleaner having a wheel supported main body, a motor driven suction means on on said main body, and a suction nozzle in communication with said suction unit, an air discharge conduit for said suction unit adapted to be coupled to a swiveling filter assembly, said conduit having an annular groove adjacent the discharge end thereof formed by a pair of opposite walls, the outermost of the pair of walls forming said groove having a pair of cutouts therethrough located on the opposite sides of said conduit and adapted to receive a pair of radially extending ears of a tubular filter adapter arranged to telescope over the end of said air discharge conduit so that said ears can move along said groove and hold the filter adapter assembly to said conduit, through a predetermined range of movement of the adapter on the conduit.

13. A filter assembly for use on a floor type suction cleaner having a circular air discharge conduit, said assembly comprising an air pervious fabric bag having a relatively small area air inlet opening at its lower end, and a hollow coupling mounted within said inlet, said coupling having a one-piece thermoplastic body adapted to form an air tight, swiveling, readily disconnectable connection with the outlet end of a suction cleaner air discharge conduit, said filter inlet being fused to the outer wall of said coupling, and the inlet end of said coupling including a pair of radial inwardly projecting ears adapted to seat in and move along an annular groove formed in the outlet end of a suction cleaner air discharge conduit, said coupling having a resilient continuous inwardly projecting annular flange in a plane spaced inwardly from and parallel to said ears.

14. A filter assembly for use on a floor type suction cleaner comprising, a thermoplastic inlet elbow including means formed on its inlet end for detachably coupling the same to the exhaust outlet of a suction cleaner through a predetermined range of movement of the elbow relatively to the outlet, a tubular outlet conduit extending upwardly from the outlet end of said elbow, means for clamping the inlet of a paper filter bag in place on said outlet conduit, and an appearance envelope having its lower end surrounding said outlet conduit in laterally spaced relation thereto, the lower peripheral edge of said appearance envelope being inseparably fused to the wall of said thermoplastic elbow.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,846 White June 24, 1941 1,086,367 Hope Feb. 10, 1914 1,861,402 Van Riper May 31, 1932 2,015,772 Wassal Oct. 1, 1935 2,085,042 Replogle June 29, 1937 2,460,851 Sheppard Feb. 8, 1949 2,521,985 Lang et a1 Sept. 12, 1950 2,641,332 Hawk June 9, 1953 2,661,077 Brace Dec. 1, 1953 

